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Getting Seizures In Sleep. Prescribed Phyntoin, Levipil. What Are The Side Effects?
I am getting seizures in sleep? Doctor prescribed phyntoin 100 mg and Levipil 500 mg twice a day both. What are the side effects? History: I got first fit at 17th year. Second one at 23rd year. Third fit at 39th year. Forth fit at 44 year. Fifth fit at 47 year. Now I AM 49 year old. All fits were noticed in sleep only by others because of blood in mouth due tongue bite and snoring . In the last two cases, my shoulders were broken (right one and left one at each time of fits. In the last fit at 47th year, I could not come to conscious immediately due to repeated seizures. Hence, I was admitted in a hospital. I could recognise people in hospital after 3 days.
Sat, 23 Feb 2013
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query.
Both phenytoin and levipil (levetiracetam) are safe and effective drugs for treating epilepsy.
With phenytoin, the common side effects are gum thickening, dizziness, imbalance while walking, etc. skin rash may occur on occasions. Long term use may lead to shrinkage of cerebellum, the small brain.
Levetiracetam is among the safest anti epileptic drugs. On some occasions, it may cause sleep disturbances and behavioural changes.
However, you should continue the medicines as per doctors' advice in order to get the desired clinical benefit.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant Neurologist
Thank you for posting your query.
Both phenytoin and levipil (levetiracetam) are safe and effective drugs for treating epilepsy.
With phenytoin, the common side effects are gum thickening, dizziness, imbalance while walking, etc. skin rash may occur on occasions. Long term use may lead to shrinkage of cerebellum, the small brain.
Levetiracetam is among the safest anti epileptic drugs. On some occasions, it may cause sleep disturbances and behavioural changes.
However, you should continue the medicines as per doctors' advice in order to get the desired clinical benefit.
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant Neurologist
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